Last night Hugh Masekela (or, to be all South African about it, Bra Hugh), guested Hotel Serena in Kampala.
Opening the evening with one of his classics, 'The Boy's Doing It'. As it turned out, however, the first minutes was only a warm up. The band blasted into a high-speed performance and kept this intensity and energy throughout. And mind you, the man is 67. Respect!
I discovered Hugh Masekela years back, but this is the first time I saw him in concert. I have always found his music extremely powerfull, not just the lyrics and the energy, but also the whole political engagement and context which is part of this artist and his background. 'Bring Him Back Home (to Soweto)', the song written in 1987 to Mandela, always makes me shiver. Download it here. Download bringhimbackhome1....mp3. Or 'The Boys Doing It', which lyrically is the most simple song, but performed with a joy and intensity, including the funny references to various African places and the rest of the world (where the boys are doing it...) - it can only make you smile.
The new Hotel Serena - and the price level of the tickets (all for charity) - was an experience, too. A few ressemblances to Vega in Copenhagen, with the teak, retro style and cosyness. Only shame is, that more people should have had the opportunity to watch this legend. Not just for entertainment, but also for inspiration, He is really something special.
Read more about Hugh Masekela here.
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